Acoustic Alignment

A continuous rhythmic pulse registered from the lower perimeter of the hallway. I advanced four calculated paces to identify the source. A small mechanical metronome sat slightly angled against the polished baseboard, its pendulum swaying in a uniform arc. The base sat approximately twelve degrees off parallel. I extended both arms and exerted firm, even pressure until the wooden casing aligned flush against the wall. The ticking immediately gained resonance across the floorboards. The cadence is steady. The corridor is properly organized for the night cycle.